3rd Project Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique

3rd Project Meeting in Maputo, Mozambique

Site visit at the factory of the Energy Fund FUNAE in Beluluane

Finalizing the structure of the newly developed Renewable Energy Bachelor’s programme was the primary objective of the third AIR project meeting which took place from 12.11. – 18.11.2017 in Maputo, Mozambique. The project consortium met at the Universidade Eduardo Mondlane (UEM) to elaborate the course modules for year one, two and three of the Bachelor’s programme. Now, the next step is to develop a detailed module handbook in which the contents of the practice-oriented courses are specified. Furthermore, the team agreed to have a 1+1 Master structure which means one year taught courses and one year research work. A representative of the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy joined the first meeting day in order to exchange information about the AIR project and the activities of the Ministry. The team also visited the campus at UEM including classrooms and laboratories in order to get a better understanding of the local learning conditions and meet the students.

Besides the workshop, the project partners went on various excursions such as the mini hydro power station at Pequenos Libombos and a small scale electrification project by photovoltaic systems for the community in Mahubo. A very interesting experience was the visit to the internationally certified solar modules factory of the Energy Fund FUNAE in Beluluane which is implementing rural electrification projects throughout Mozambique since 1997. Such projects improve the quality of life of the rural population as electricity supply has a positive impact on health and education and advance the economic development in such rural areas.

All 16 team members will meet again in April 2018 at Stellenbosch University in South Africa in order to conclude the Bachelor’s degree programme and further elaborate the contents of the joint international Master’s programme.